Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world. – John Milton
On Monday evening, my eyes darted toward the sky. I noticed the clouds formed what appeared to be mountains. With snowy peaks in the horizon I envisioned a different world from the desert. This image of the clouds lingered with me for a few days. I grabbed my phone and gazed at it again, outlining the mountains with my fingers.
I reflected on all the moments I miss or take for granted. It is clear from my writing in this space, I often struggle with uncertainty and all of the things that are not. This thinking usually spirals into laying somewhere in the past or sprinting in the future. For myself (I urge all of you to try to this exercise), I decided to compose a list of all the things I know at this moment. There are everyday epiphanies. You just have to notice and acknowledge.
1) I know that there is unconditional love. I receive it everyday from my daughter, from kisses, hugs to random “I love you’s.” I feel it in her every move.
2) I know that time can heal. When you are in a crisis, you magnify every negative emotion your are feeling at that moment, but once time passes, the hurt may linger, but you can approach it in a more rational and cognitive way.
3) I know that my meditation is running. Without my weekly runs, I falter. There is a soothing connection between nature, the ability to run, and the sound of breath.
4) I know that sometimes it is permissible to surrender to lousy feelings. You must lean into the process (as painful as that is) to evolve. It is part of life.
5) I know that friends can come into your life for a particular purpose. Sometimes you have to let them go. Accept the friendship as much as the letting go. People move on.
6) I know that when you can’t travel, reading a book can transport you to places and times you never know existed. A book can provide solace, entertainment, and conversation.
7) I know that time is finite. If you can, spend as much time loving the ones you want and living the life you envision for yourself.
What would be on your list? Please let me know.
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
Lovely photograph and such inspirational words. Those things we know can certainly steer us through those times of uncertainty.
“..lean into the process…”
So wise, and something I need to work on. Daily.
I know that time ebbs and flows unsteadily. Finding calm in the stiller moments is peace. Staying calm as the world spins too fast is acceptance.
These are such wonderful lessons, these things you know. And that sky! There is indeed grace in that sky. It allows us to feel our smallness and put the empty places into perspective.
Another lovely piece, Rudri.
These epiphanies are truths I can appreciate. Thank you for giving me something to think about. I am terrible at reflecting, but I am good at spiraling. This was a great piece of encouragement! Beautifully written.
I need to learn how to “lean into the process” instead of doing everything I can to escape it. Not an easy task. Working on it.
Inspirational, thank you for the reminder Rudri . 🙂
There’s a lot of wisdom in your list. Thanks, Rudri.
Hi there (I came over from the SITS blog)
This is lovely. After the Aurora shooting (which is where I grew up part of my life) I have been doing a lot of reflecting on my life as well. Thanks for sharing this!
Jillian
Rudri…Rudri…Rudri…Gir, thank you for numbers: 2, 4, 5, and 7!!!…MAN, you hit these square on the head…I needed to read these…things I now know but needed to be reminded of…and you’ve done exactly that.
Visiting from SITS.
Be Blessed <3
Where is like button on this 🙂
Love the picture, the quote and the sentiment.
I know, that sometimes we do things we swore we never would. And that sometimes it’s good thing.
What’s on my list is what’s on your list. Particularly #2. OK, and maybe your 4, too. Time really does heal all, and it goes by so fast.